Best Buy announces Black Friday VIP contest

0

Ho… lee… crap. Best Buy is running a contest for Black Friday. One winner in each of 25 select markets gets a $1,000 gift card, a ride to Best Buy in a limo, early access to the store (that’s at 4:30 AM, mind you), and a bunch of other stuff. Sheesh.

So how do you win? You submit a 250-word story on AskABlueShirt.net about what you do “to make the day after Thanksgiving a particularly fun and special day.” The press release says that Best Buy is looking for people “to share how Black Friday shopping is an important holiday tradition for them and their family.” Nothing like a little rampant American consumerism to bring loved-ones closer together, eh?

Full press release:

Do You Want to Be a Black Friday VIP at Best Buy?

Enter for a Chance to Win a $1,000 Gift Card and Early Entry into Select Best Buy Locations on the Morning after Thanksgiving

MINNEAPOLIS, October 29, 2008 – Best Buy recognizes that for many families across the country, getting out early on the day after Thanksgiving is an important annual tradition. That’s why the nation’s leading consumer electronics retailer will celebrate the Black Friday tradition this year by recognizing 25 shoppers through their Black Friday VIP contest, launching today.

Best Buy is looking for consumers in 25 cities to share how Black Friday shopping is an important holiday tradition for them and their family, and what kinds of rituals they have to make the morning after Thanksgiving an enjoyable kick off to the holiday season. Consumers can submit stories on AskABlueShirt.com from October 29, 2008 – November 18, 2008. One winner in each market will be notified by November 24.

“We know that for many of our customers, getting out early on the morning after Thanksgiving is about more than getting a great deal, it’s a way to celebrate the start of the holiday season with friends and family,” said Greg Johnson, senior vice president of marketing for Best Buy. “We do our best to make Black Friday a fun, festive time for our customers, including hundreds of hours of training to get ready for the day. This contest is another way we can recognize the importance of this tradition, and give some customers a truly special experience.”

Major VIP Treatment for 25 Winners

One winner from each of the twenty-five eligible markets will win a $1,000 Best Buy Gift Card and full VIP treatment including: a limousine ride to and from the designated Best Buy store below, on-site pampering and prizes for the winner and up to three guests, early admittance into the store at 4:30 a.m., and the opportunity to purchase up to four doorbusters. Each winner will also receive a Pure Digital Flip Video Ultra Series Camcorder to document the Black Friday VIP experience. Some limitations apply. Full contest rules are available on AskABlueShirt.com. Participating stores include: